Just how

smart
are
intelligent
buildings?

Linda Forbes
Unit A3
 An intelligent building
• should be productive, safe, healthy, thermally,
aurally and visually comfortable;

• has the potential to serve future generations:

sustainability or adaptability over its life cycle,
while safeguarding environmental resources;

• can be built within some cost constraints whilst

retaining market value.

SAVE Intelligent Building Assessment Methodology http://www.ibuilding.gr

City of London
Benefits of intelligent buildings
More natural daylight
Lighting
Lower energy requirement

Stack effect; night cooling; mixed mode

Ventilation
Lower energy requirement

Solar gain used to pre-warm incoming air

Heating
Lower energy requirement

Lower energy requirements

Environment
Renewable energy (Merton Rule)
 RWE HQ, Essen

Post Tower
Bonn

Germany
Commerzbank
Frankfurt
New York Sao Paulo

Hong Kong
 Issues to consider

Proximity of Less solar gain; less daylighting

other buildings Air turbulence; wind speeds and direction

Urban Heat Island Higher temperatures at night

(UHI) effect Diurnal range reduced; less night cooling

Pollution from
Noise and smell
vehicles and
Photochemical smogs
industry
Double Ventilated Facades
 PPG
Central
and
Government
Planning in the UK
PPS

Regional Regional
Planning Spatial Planning
Bodies Strategy Inspectorate

Local Local
Government Development
(England only) Framework

Planning
Committee Planning
Application
 PPS1 Sustainable Development
PPG2 Green Belts
Central Government
PPS3 Housing
PPG4 Industrial/Commercial
PPG5 Simplified Planning Zones
PPG PPS6 Town Centres
(Planning PPS7 Rural Areas
PPG8 Telecommunications
Policy PPS9 Biodiversity & Geo Conservation
Guidance) PPS10 Waste Management
PPS11 Regional Spatial Strategies
& PPS12 Local Development Framework
PPG13 Transport
PPG14 Unstable land
PPS PPG15 Historic Environment
PPG16 Archaeology
(Planning PPG17 Sport & Recreation
Policy PPG18 Enforcement Plan Ctrl
Statement) PPG19 Outdoor Advertising
PPG20 Coastal
PPG21 Tourism
PPS22 Renewable Energy
PPS23 Pollution Control
PPG24 Noise
PPS25 Flood Risk
Regional Government Regional
Spatial
Strategy
(Regional Planning Bodies RPBs
and elected Regional Assemblies inc London)

Development strategy covering 15-to-20 year period

Contributes to achievement of sustainable development

Incorporates Regional Transport Strategy

 Local
Development
Local Government
Framework
(District Councils,
Unitary Authorities,
National Parks)

Development plan documents

Local development scheme

Statement of community interest

Annual monitoring report

Supplementary planning documents

Local development orders and simplified planning zones

Planning in Germany
 Right of light, once right acquired
Ancient
Freedom from noise or smell
Rights in UK
No right to wind
Potential outcomes of increased
building density

Increased energy demand

Higher running costs Renewable energy supply

Failure to meet renewable obligation

Who is liable?
(10% or more)

Local authority for granting permission? In breach of planning regulations?

Require building
Owner of buildings in proximity? more capacity off-site
to meet requirements?
Conclusions
• Intelligent buildings
can deliver energy
savings
• Highly technical,
with high embodied
energy
• Planning systems
may defeat
objectives
• What future in a
hotter, more humid
and crowded world?